It may only be January, but whether you like it or not the end of the school year is fast approaching. You’ve probably got a plethora of exams to study for, coursework to complete, and also the joy of trying to make ends meet while you’re finishing off your course. However, sooner or later you’re going to have to decide what steps you’re going to take next, and if you haven’t thought about it or you don’t know what to choose, we’ve come up with some ideas that will hopefully, help you make your final decision. So, what are you going to do next?
Go straight into work
One of your options is to leave college and go straight into work, but what will you do? Some college courses last only a couple of years, and you may be hoping to gain your qualification by the end of the school year.
It’s a wise idea to look into job options after you’ve graduated from college so that you know what kind of work you could be taking on when the time comes. Perhaps you’ll be able to jump straight into your dream job, but it’s important to think about the plan of action first:
- Can you pre-apply for a job for when you graduate?
- Will you have to find another place to live to work?
- Do you need to pass your driving test to aid your job?
It’s also important to think about these things too:
- Will you require experience to land the role you want?
- Are you going to be paid enough when you first start out?
- Are you having second thoughts about the career path you’ve chosen?
It’s not unusual to go to college and realise that in fact, you don’t want to pursue the career you thought you did. If you’re nearing the end of your college year and you’re on the fence, it might be worth looking at other courses rather than jumping straight into work!
Do further education
If you’re thinking about furthering your education or following something new, then it’s time to look at your options. While you may have moved away for college for the course you’re on now, it doesn’t mean that you have to do the same for your next course:
- Finding courses nearer to home.
- Obtaining help from ivy league consultants to land the course you’re after. Some further education courses such as medical practice may require more of an application than you thought. Certain colleges require cover letters, extracurricular experience, and even recommendations. Getting help from a trained consultant will boost your chances of acceptance.
- Studying online rather than in a classroom
Make sure you think carefully about your next step and what’s right for you, education wise so that you can take care of where your future is headed.
Take a gap year
A great way to celebrate finishing college is by taking a gap year. After all, you are only young once. Perhaps you would like to see the world, or maybe you’d like to spend some time working abroad in party central such as Magaluf.
Take an apprenticeship
Finally, we understand that money is a worry right now. As a college student, worrying about if you can afford to eat all week is enough, so some of these options might not be viable to you. A great way of landing yourself a reputable career is by taking an apprenticeship. This way, you’ll be able to learn the skills you’re after and get paid for doing so. It’s important to remember that apprenticeships often don’t pay a full salary, but you normally have a job waiting for you once you’ve completed it!
